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A Serial Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Prevalence, Risk Factors and Geographic Variations of Reduced Visual Acuity in Primary and Secondary Students from 2000 to 2017 in Hong Kong

Author

Listed:
  • Perseus W.F. Wong

    (Department of Ophthalmology, L.K.S. Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Jimmy S.M. Lai

    (Department of Ophthalmology, L.K.S. Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Jonathan C.H. Chan

    (Department of Ophthalmology, L.K.S. Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

Background: We would like to investigate the prevalence trend, potential risk factors and geographic features of reduced visual acuity (VA) in primary and secondary schoolchildren of Hong Kong. Methods: This was a serial cross-sectional study using historical data of schoolchildren aged 6 to 15 years from the annual health checks conducted at Student Health Service Centers across Hong Kong, for the school years of 2000/2001 to 2016/2017. Results: The prevalence of reduced VA increased from 49.23% (95% CI, 48.99−49.47) in 2000/2001 to 54.34% (95% CI, 54.10−54.58) in 2011/2012 but decreased to 51.42% (95% CI, 51.17−51.66) in 2016/2017. Girls were less susceptible than boys at age 6−7 (and in grade primary 1−2), but more susceptible at older ages. The prevalence in junior grades increased while the risk effect of grade reduced over the past 17 years. Geographic variation on the risk for reduced VA existed and spatial autocorrelation was positive. The difference in prevalence of reduced VA between Hong Kong and mainland China has decreased in recent years. Cross-border students living in mainland China were associated with a lower risk for reduced VA. Conclusions: Further study was proposed to investigate the environmental association between students living in and outside Hong Kong with the prevalence of reduced VA. Multi-level research should also be conducted to investigate the influence of compositional and contextual factors on the prevalence of reduced VA.

Suggested Citation

  • Perseus W.F. Wong & Jimmy S.M. Lai & Jonathan C.H. Chan, 2020. "A Serial Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Prevalence, Risk Factors and Geographic Variations of Reduced Visual Acuity in Primary and Secondary Students from 2000 to 2017 in Hong Kong," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-22, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:3:p:1023-:d:317220
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Etsuji Suzuki & Saori Kashima & Ichiro Kawachi & S V Subramanian, 2012. "Geographic Inequalities in All-Cause Mortality in Japan: Compositional or Contextual?," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(6), pages 1-12, June.
    2. Shi-Ming Li & Si-Yuan Li & Meng-Tian Kang & Yuehua Zhou & Luo-Ru Liu & He Li & Yi-Peng Wang & Si-Yan Zhan & Bamini Gopinath & Paul Mitchell & Ningli Wang & Anyang Childhood Eye Study Group, 2015. "Near Work Related Parameters and Myopia in Chinese Children: the Anyang Childhood Eye Study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(8), pages 1-13, August.
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